Maybe I Just Didn't Hear It

For ages I have heard high, high praise for Zusak's The Book Thief.   I started it a long time ago but couldn't get into it, but I think I will try again because I really, really loved I Am the Messenger.  I haven't heard the urgent " You NEED to read this" about IATM like I have for TBT, but man, I really, really loved IATM!  So if TBT is even better, then I really need to try it again. Really good book.  I am not sure how to categorize it though.  The labels will be hard on this one.  For sure a mystery.  Realistic fiction?  Magical realism, but yet there isn't really magic as we know "magic" to be.  Great mystery and a great character study.